JP6253310B2 - End cap, termination connection structure and termination connection structure kit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an end cap for terminating connection of a transmission cable included in at least one transmission line. The end cap includes at least one lead-through opening for guiding at least one line from the rear side to the front side.

  Furthermore, the present invention relates to a termination connection structure for terminating connection of a transmission cable included in at least one transmission line.

  The present invention also relates to a termination connection structure kit for terminating connection of an optical fiber cable.

  The above-described end cap, terminal connection structure, and kit are conventionally known techniques. The end cap includes a termination connection member that facilitates, for example, attaching the end of the cable within the enclosure, and handling at least one line and guiding at least one line, such as including a fiber optic connector. To do.

  For example, the cable is an optical fiber cable and the transmission line is an optical fiber. The optical fiber extends as a unit consisting of a fiber member having several individual fibers. These fibers are bundled into multiple bundles comprising several fibers. Such a bundle and a plurality of bundles are accommodated in a cable. Since the fiber itself is long and thin and is therefore susceptible to damage, for example, by snap engagement and cracking, it is desirable to provide a strain relief to eliminate stresses acting on the fiber itself.

  According to the prior art, strain relief is generally realized by attaching a layer of Kevlar® around each line, such as a fiber or fiber bundle, to an end cap or termination connection member. Alternatively, a cable having a central reinforcing member in the form of a rod extending through the center of the cable is used. In that case, instead of the Kevlar layer, the reinforcing member is fixed to the terminal connection member or the enclosure. Furthermore, the wires must be installed in the enclosure with the aid of additional means such as adapters. In other words, two independent processes are required to terminate the prior art cable. For this reason, when using both a Kevlar layer surrounding a wire or an optical fiber and a central rod as a reinforcing member, it is troublesome and time consuming to terminate the cable so as to obtain a strain relief. .

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the disadvantages arising from the prior art optical fiber cable termination described above, it is an object of the present invention to facilitate and efficiently process optical fiber cable termination while providing strain relief.

  This object is achieved by the present invention having the following configuration. That is, the end cap according to the present invention is provided with a passage extending from the rear side to the front side, and the passage is configured to accommodate the central reinforcing member of the cable. In other words, the end cap is comprised of a termination connection member, i.e., the termination connection member is formed as an end cap, and the passage provides at least a radially offset groove of the end cap relative to the lead-through opening.

  With regard to the termination connection structure described at the outset, the object of the present invention is to have at least one end cap according to the present invention attached to the cable, at least one wire passing through the lead-through opening, and the reinforcing member of the cable being the end. This is achieved by penetrating the passage of the cap.

  With respect to the first mentioned kit, the object of the invention is achieved in that the kit comprises at least one end cap according to the invention.

  These solutions have the obvious advantage over the prior art in that the end cap contains and protects part and wires of the cable on the one hand and the reinforcement member on the other hand to provide a strain relief. . The brace is easily attached to the cable and the reinforcement member by sliding the end cap over the cable while guiding the wire and the reinforcement member through the lead-through opening and passage, respectively. The end cap can then be secured to the enclosure, thus functioning as an adapter for mounting the reinforcement members and wires to the enclosure in a single step.

  Furthermore, the solution according to the invention for the purpose makes it possible to dispense with additional cable jackets and overmolds for fixing and protecting the ends of the cables. The holding force for fixing the end cap and for providing the strain relief is transmitted from the portion of the reinforcing member protruding from the front surface to the outer periphery of the cable disposed on the rear surface via the end cap. For this reason, the holding force of the reinforcing member is normally transmitted to the outside of the cable at a position where the cable jacket is fixed. Thereby, the solution according to the invention can also be applied to standard cable glands that are widely used in field installation kits.

  The solution described above according to the invention may be combined in any way with any one of the following advantageous embodiments of the invention and can therefore be further improved.

  According to a first possible embodiment, towards the front face of the end cap, the lead-through opening comprises a curved portion so as to extend at least partially along a direction radially away from the passage. In addition or alternatively, the lead-through opening may extend in a funnel shape toward the front surface. As another additional or alternative embodiment, the radial width of the lead-through opening may increase toward the front surface. In other words, the outlet of the lead-through opening on the front surface may be larger than the inlet of the lead-through opening on the rear surface. All these embodiments are common, and at least one line is freely movable, particularly in the region of the front face of the end cap. This allows at least one line to be handled and arranged separately at a predetermined distance from the reinforcing member, reducing the risk of damaging at least one line when the tool is actuated on the reinforcing member. .

  The passage may terminate behind the lead-through opening along the insertion direction to insert the reinforcing member into the passage. In other words, the passageway may extend beyond the lead-through opening on the front surface along the insertion direction to insert at least one line and the reinforcing member into the end cap. Thereby, at least one line is folded and bent away from the reinforcing member before the region where the reinforcing member exits the passage, to handle the reinforcing member and to actuate the tool on the reinforcing member exiting the passage. make it easier.

  At the front end of the end cap, the passage leads into a recess configured to at least partially receive a ferrule that is crimped to the reinforcing member. The recess provides a base for supporting the ferrule with the end cap. By operating the ferrule, the end cap can be easily fixed to the reinforcing member, and is pressed between the end portion of the cable and the reinforcing member. Alternatively, any fixing means may be attached to the reinforcing member and housed in the recess. The fixing means may be any adhesive applied to the reinforcing member, a deformation area formed on the reinforcing member, a nut, a bolt, a pin that can be used to transmit the holding force from the reinforcing member to the end cap, particularly the front surface, A split pin or the like may be used. As a result, the holding force can be transmitted by the end cap to the outer periphery of the cable, that is, to the sheath of the cable.

  The recess may protrude from the front surface. In other words, the recess may overhang the front surface. Accordingly, the passage can easily extend in the insertion direction with respect to the lead-through opening. The recess may comprise a peripheral edge surrounding the bottom. The peripheral edge helps to stabilize the fixing member such as a ferrule attached to the reinforcing member in the lateral direction. Furthermore, the height of the peripheral edge measured in parallel with the insertion direction exceeds the thickness of the peripheral edge, that is, the collar formed on the ferrule. As a result, any tool, such as a crimping tool or crimping tongue, abuts the periphery of the recess without damaging the collar of the ferrule. This allows the tool to be easily aligned with the front face of the collar of the ferrule and to operate quickly and accurately on the tubular portion of the ferrule that is crimped to the reinforcing member.

  The recess may be supported by at least one connecting portion extending in a direction away from the recess in the radial direction. The connecting portion supports the recess in the lateral direction. The connecting portion is integrated with the recess. A number of recesses extend radially away from the recesses. As a result, the concave portion is stabilized and protected at the same time that the front surface of the connecting portion acts as a guide. The tool is guided along its guide as it operates on a ferrule that is crimped to a reinforcing member that exits the passage in the recess.

  The rear surface of the end cap may include a receptacle configured to surround the end of the cable. In other words, the end of the cable may be housed in the receptacle. This allows the end of the cable to be held by the end cap and placed in the center of the end cap to further protect against harmful environmental effects and twisting.

  In the protrusion along the longitudinal direction of the end cap, the passage and the receptacle are arranged concentrically with respect to each other. In other words, since the central axis of the passage and the receptacle overlap each other, particularly the reinforcing member extending along the central axis of the cable has the end of the cable in the recess while the reinforcing member protrudes from the end along the insertion direction. When inserting, it is easily inserted into the passage.

  The receptacle may comprise a bush configured to surround the outer periphery of the cable. Since the bush is made of metal such as phosphor bronze, it is hard and uneven to protect the end of the cable. The receptacle holds the bush and at least surrounds the bush. Further, the bush may be formed integrally with an end cap formed of plastic such as an injection molded part.

  The collar may surround the rear surface and protrude from the rear surface. The connecting portion extending in the radial direction away from the recess may be integrated with the collar. This further stabilizes the connecting portion, protects the outlet opening of the lead-through opening, and further helps guide the tool acting on the reinforcing member, the fixing means and the ferrule to be crimped to the reinforcing member.

  The collar has at least one gap in the vicinity of at least one lead-through opening. The lead-through opening is curved to extend at least partially toward the gap. This ensures that at least one line penetrates the gap and the tool or ferrule that is crimped to the reinforcing member moves safely past the at least one line guided through the gap. Curved, bent.

  With respect to the termination connection structure, the solution is further improved in that the ferrule is crimped to the outside of the reinforcing member that extends beyond the front face of the end cap. As a result, the end cap is pressed between the bush and the cable on the rear surface of the end cap and the fixing means such as a ferrule on the front surface of the end cap. The peripheral edge or collar formed on the ferrule provides a contact surface for supporting the ferrule on the front surface and the bottom of the recess provided on the front surface for supporting the ferrule.

It is a side view of the termination | terminus connection structure which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the termination | terminus connection structure of FIG. 1 along the AA line of FIG. FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the portion indicated by 3 in FIG. 2 showing the inside of the termination connection structure. It is a perspective view showing the end cap concerning one embodiment of the present invention.

  The invention will now be described in detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show advantageous embodiments. The described embodiments are only possible configurations. However, as described above, the individual features can be implemented independently of each other and can be omitted. Corresponding members shown in the drawings are given the same reference numerals. Description of parts related to the same member in different drawings is omitted.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a termination connection structure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The termination connection structure 1 includes an end cap 100 and an enclosure assembly 200 for terminating connection of the transmission cable 300. Furthermore, the termination connection structure 1 may include a connector 400 for terminating connection of the transmission line 301 of the cable 300. Terminal unit 1, the vertical axis L ₁₀₀ of the end cap 100, overlapping the longitudinal axis L ₂₀₀ of the enclosure 200, the longitudinal axis L ₃₀₂ of the reinforcing member 302 of the longitudinal axis L ₃₀₀ and cable 300 of the cable 300 with each other, thereby terminating They are arranged to form a common longitudinal axis L ₁ of the structure 1.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional lines A-A line in FIG. 1, namely a cross-sectional view of the terminal unit 1 along the longitudinal axis L ₁ of the terminal unit 1. The cable 300 is inserted into the enclosure assembly 200 along the insertion direction I so that it passes through the enclosure assembly 200 and is inserted into the end cap 100. The line 301 is inserted into the lead-through opening 101 of the end cap 100 along the insertion direction I. The reinforcing member 302 of the cable 300 is inserted into the passage 102 of the end cap 100. The ferrule 150 is pressure-bonded to a part of the reinforcing member 302 that extends beyond the passage 102 in the insertion direction I.

  In the temporarily assembled state P of the terminal connection structure 1 shown in FIG. 2, the end cap 100 is fixed to the optical fiber cable 300, and the ferrule 150 prevents the reinforcing member 302 from moving, and thus is opposite to the insertion direction I. The movement of the cable 300 to the is prevented. Since the end cap 100 is pulled rearward, that is, opposite to the insertion direction I with respect to the enclosure assembly 200, the enclosure assembly 200 is tightly surrounded by the inner periphery 202 of the inner space 201. Is inserted into the internal space 201 of FIG. Next, the termination connection structure 1 is in a final state Q (not shown) in which the end cap 100 is held protected in the enclosure assembly 200.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the end cap 100 that houses the cable 300 (detailed view of the portion indicated by 3 in FIG. 2). The end portion 303 of the cable 300 is held in the receptacle 103 of the end cap 100 so as to contact the rear surface 104 of the end cap 100 along the insertion direction I. The rear surface 104 may be formed by the bottom of the receptacle 103. The line 301 and the reinforcing member 302 penetrate the lead-through opening 101 and the passage 102 from the rear surface 104 to the front surface 105 of the end cap 100, respectively.

  The socket 106 is formed in the front surface 105 of the end cap 100 and at least partially accommodates a ferrule 150 that surrounds the free end 302a of the reinforcing member 302 that projects over the front surface 105 along the insertion direction I. The ferrule 150 includes a tubular portion 151 that is pressure-bonded to the free end 302 a and a collar 152 that forms a contact surface 153 for supporting the ferrule 150 in the recess 106. For this reason, the end cap 100 is pressed between the cable end 303 and the ferrule 150.

  The end 303 is held in the tubular bush 130, and the inner periphery 131 of the bush 130 surrounds the outer periphery 304 of the cable 300. The outer periphery 132 of the bush 130 is surrounded by the inner periphery 107 of the receptacle 103. Bush 130 may be press fit into receptacle 103 before insertion into cable 300. The bush 130 may be a part of the receptacle 103 or may be formed integrally with the end cap 100.

  The holding force flow F for providing the strain relief extends from the free end 302a of the reinforcing member 302 through the ferrule 150 to the front surface 105 and the recess 106, from there through the end cap 100 to the radially outward receptacle 103. Extend. The force flow F is transmitted to the end 303 of the cable 300, particularly to the outer periphery 304 of the cable 300. When the bush 130 is supplied as a separate part, the force flow F is transmitted from the inner periphery 107 of the receptacle 103 to the outer periphery 132 of the bush 130, and then the end of the cable 300 via the inner periphery 131 of the bush 130. 303 is transmitted to the outer periphery 304 of 303. In other words, the holding force is transmitted from the reinforcing member 302 to the outer periphery 304 of the cable 300 through the ferrule 150, the end cap 100, and the bush 130. Here, the outer periphery 304 may be formed by a sheath of the cable 300.

  Further, in order to seal and attach the end portion 303 of the cable 300 in the receptacle 103, a shrink mounting tube 250 is provided around the outer periphery 304 of the cable 300, the outer periphery 132 of the bush 130 and the outer periphery 108 of the end cap 100, particularly the outer periphery of the receptacle 103. It may be enclosed. In order to enhance gripping of the shrink mounting tube 250 along the outer periphery 108 of the end cap 100, and in particular to prevent movement of the shrink mounting tube 250 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction I, the outer periphery 108 has a reduced diameter. Accordingly, the peripheral step 109 may be provided so that an edge for supporting the shrinkage mounting tube 250 is formed in the direction opposite to the insertion direction I.

  A sealing member 170 in the form of an O-ring may be provided to seal between the end cap 100 and the enclosure assembly 200, particularly between the outer periphery 108 of the end cap 100 and the inner periphery 202 of the enclosure assembly 200. . The sealing member 170 may be placed in a peripheral groove 110 that extends along the outer periphery 108 of the end cap 100.

Also, in FIG. 3, the lead-through opening 101 is provided with a curved portion 111, and as a result, it becomes apparent that the lead-through opening 101 partially extends in the radial direction R of the end cap 100 away from the passage 102. . Therefore, when viewed along the insertion direction I, the lead-through opening 101 of the rear surface 104 extends parallel to the passage 102 which extends first along the vertical axis L _100. The lead-through opening 101 curves toward the front surface 105 in a direction away from the passage 102.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the end cap 100. Here, it becomes apparent that the recess 106 protrudes from the front surface 105 along the insertion direction I. The bottom 112 of the recess 106 is formed to support the abutment surface 153 provided by the ferrule 150, particularly the collar 152 of the ferrule 150. A peripheral edge 113 surrounds the periphery of the recess 106. Notch 114 in the peripheral 113, and the notch 114 in the portion of the bottom 112 of the recess 106, that extend substantially parallel straight portions 101a of the wall of the lead-through opening 101 and the longitudinal axis L ₁₀₀ may be edge hinders Without allowing the line 301 to be easily pushed through the lead-through opening 101 along the insertion direction I.

  Further, since the three connecting portions 115a, 115b, and 115c extend away from the concave portion 106 in the radial direction, the concave portion 106 is supported in the lateral direction by the connecting portions 115a to 115c. The connecting portions 115 a to 115 c are integrated with a collar 116 surrounding the front surface 105. A gap 117 in the collar 116 is provided in the vicinity of the lead-through opening 101.

  Variations on the above-described embodiments are possible within the concept of the invention. The termination connection structure 1 may include any number of end caps 100, bushings 130, ferrules 150, sealing members 170, enclosure assemblies 200, shrinkage mounting tubes 250, cables 300 and connectors 400, or for specific applications. Therefore, it may be formed as desired.

  The end cap 100 includes any number of lead-through openings 101 and passages 102 that form respective grooves for the wires 301 and the reinforcing members 302, and may be formed as desired. The rear surface 104 and the front surface 105 may be formed as desired, and include any form and number of receptacles 103 and recesses 106 necessary to support and house the bushing 130, the end portion 303 of the cable 300, and the ferrule 150, respectively. You may have. The inner periphery 107 of the receptacle 103 may be configured to be complementary to receive the bush 130 and the cable 300. The outer periphery 108 of the end cap 100 may comprise any form and number of steps 109 and grooves 110 necessary to attach the sealing member 170 or shrinkage mounting tube 250 in a positively fitting manner.

  The lead-through opening 101 may include a curved portion 111 to facilitate handling of the wire 301. The configuration of the lead-through opening 101 and the curved portion 111 is selected to allow firm and easy handling of the line 301 next to the free end 302a of the reinforcing member 302, and conforms to the notch 114 and the gap 117. Also good. The recess 106 may comprise any shape and number of bottoms 112, peripheral edges 113 and notches 114 necessary to support the ferrule 150.

  The connecting portions 115a to 115c may be provided in any desired shape and number, and in order to guide the tool to be operated to the free end 302a of the reinforcing member 302 and to stabilize the recess 106 and the collar 116, The peripheral edge 130 and the collar 116 may be integrated. Therefore, the peripheral edge 113, the connecting portions 115a to 115c, and the surface of the collar 116 facing along the insertion direction I may be aligned with each other so as to define one plane. The tool moves along the one plane when the tool is operated by the free end 302 a of the reinforcing member 302 or the ferrule 150.

  The bushing 130 is necessary to tightly enclose the bushing 130 in the receptacle 103, to provide an outer periphery 132, and to provide an inner periphery 131 that is configured to tightly surround the outer periphery 304 of the cable 300. It may be formed accordingly. The bush 130 may be formed integrally with the receptacle 103 or may be fitted into the receptacle 103. The ferrule 150 may include a tubular portion 151 and a collar 152 as required, or may be formed integrally with the end cap 100 or fitted to the end cap 100.

  The enclosure assembly 200 may comprise an inner spacer 201 of any form and shape necessary to accommodate at least one cable 300 and at least one end cap 100. The cable 300 may comprise a reinforcing member 302 and any form and number of wires 301 required for a given application. The cable 300 may be any type of transmission cable for transmitting power and information such as digital data and analog signals. For this reason, the line 301 may be an arbitrary transmission line for transmitting information and power. Therefore, the wire may be made of any kind of electric conductor such as a braided wire made of metal such as copper or a stranded wire. Also, the line 301 may be any transmission line in the form of an optical fiber or optical fiber bundle.

100 End cap 101 Lead-through opening 102 Passage 103 Receptacle 104 Rear surface 105 Front surface 106 Recess 111 Curved portion 115a, 115b, 115c Connection portion 116 Collar 117 Gap 130 Bush 150 Ferrule 300 Cable 301 Transmission line 302 Reinforcement member 302a Free end (outside)
303 End 304 Outer circumference L ₁₀₀ Vertical direction

Claims (14)

An end cap (100) for terminating a cable (300) having at least one transmission line (301), comprising:
An end cap comprising at least one lead-through opening (101) for guiding the at least one transmission line from a rear surface (104) to a front surface (105) of the end cap;
Extending from the rear surface to the front surface and comprising a passageway (102) configured to receive a central reinforcing member (302) of the cable ;
An end cap characterized in that a collar (116) surrounds the front surface and protrudes from the front surface .   To the front surface, the lead-through opening includes a curved portion (111) such that the lead-through opening extends at least partially along a direction away from the passage in a radial direction. Item 1. The end cap according to Item 1.   The end cap according to claim 1, wherein the passage terminates behind the lead-through opening along the insertion direction (I) in order to insert the reinforcing member into the passage.   The front surface of the end cap leads to a recess (106) configured to at least partially receive a ferrule (150) crimped to the reinforcing member. The end cap according to claim 1.   The end cap according to claim 4, wherein the recess protrudes from the front surface.   The end cap according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the recess is supported by at least one connecting portion (115a, 115b, 115c) extending in a radial direction away from the recess.   The end cap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear surface comprises a receptacle (103) configured to surround an end (303) of the cable. The end cap according to claim 7, wherein the passage and the receptacle are arranged concentrically with respect to each other in a protrusion along the longitudinal direction (L ₁₀₀ ) of the end cap.   The end cap of claim 7 or 8, wherein the receptacle comprises a bush (130) configured to surround an outer periphery (304) of the cable.   The end cap according to claim 9, wherein the bush is formed integrally with the end cap.   The end cap of claim 1, wherein the collar comprises at least one gap (117) in the vicinity of the at least one lead-through opening.   A termination connection structure for terminating connection of a cable having at least one transmission line,
  Comprising at least one end cap according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
  The at least one transmission line passes through the at least one lead-through opening;
  The terminal connection structure, wherein the reinforcing member of the cable passes through the passage.   The terminal connection structure according to claim 12, wherein a ferrule is pressure-bonded to the outside (302a) of the reinforcing member extending beyond the front surface.   A termination connection structure kit for terminating connection of cables,
  12. A terminal connection structure kit comprising at least one of the end caps according to claim 1.

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